Gut Dysbiosis and IL-21 Response in Patients with Severe COVID-19

Background: The disease severity, ranging from being asymptomatic to having acute illness, and associated inflammatory responses has suggested that alterations in the gut microbiota may play a crucial role in the development of chronic disorders due to COVID-19 infection. This study describes gut microbiota dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients and its implications relating to the disease. Design: A cross sectional prospective study was performed on thirty RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India, between September 10 and 20, 2020. Ten healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group. IFN, TNF, and IL-21 profiling was conducted using plasma samples, and gut bacterial analysis was performed after obtaining the metagenomics data of stool samples. Results: Patients with a variable COVID-19 severity showed distinct gut microflora and peripheral interleukin-21 levels. A low Firmicute/Bacteroidetes ratio, caused by the depletion of the fibre-utilizing bacteria, F. prausnitzii, B. Plebius, and Prevotella, and an increase in Bacteroidetes has associated gut microbiota dysbiosis with COVID-19 disease severity. Conclusions: The loss of the functional attributes of signature commensals in the gut, due to dysbiosis, is a predisposing factor of COVID-19 pathophysiology.

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Altered Fecal Small RNA Profiles in Colorectal Cancer Reflect Gut Microbiome Composition in Stool Samples

mSystems ◽

10.1128/msystems.00289-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sonia Tarallo ◽

Giulio Ferrero ◽

Gaetano Gallo ◽

Antonio Francavilla ◽

Giuseppe Clerico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Small Rna ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Small Rnas ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Small Rna Sequencing ◽

Predictive Tool ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stool Samples

ABSTRACT Dysbiotic configurations of the human gut microbiota have been linked to colorectal cancer (CRC). Human small noncoding RNAs are also implicated in CRC, and recent findings suggest that their release in the gut lumen contributes to shape the gut microbiota. Bacterial small RNAs (bsRNAs) may also play a role in carcinogenesis, but their role has been less extensively explored. Here, we performed small RNA and shotgun sequencing on 80 stool specimens from patients with CRC or with adenomas and from healthy subjects collected in a cross-sectional study to evaluate their combined use as a predictive tool for disease detection. We observed considerable overlap and a correlation between metagenomic and bsRNA quantitative taxonomic profiles obtained from the two approaches. We identified a combined predictive signature composed of 32 features from human and microbial small RNAs and DNA-based microbiome able to accurately classify CRC samples separately from healthy and adenoma samples (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.87). In the present study, we report evidence that host-microbiome dysbiosis in CRC can also be observed by examination of altered small RNA stool profiles. Integrated analyses of the microbiome and small RNAs in the human stool may provide insights for designing more-accurate tools for diagnostic purposes. IMPORTANCE The characteristics of microbial small RNA transcription are largely unknown, while it is of primary importance for a better identification of molecules with functional activities in the gut niche under both healthy and disease conditions. By performing combined analyses of metagenomic and small RNA sequencing (sRNA-Seq) data, we characterized both the human and microbial small RNA contents of stool samples from healthy individuals and from patients with colorectal carcinoma or adenoma. With the integrative analyses of metagenomic and sRNA-Seq data, we identified a human and microbial small RNA signature which can be used to improve diagnosis of the disease. Our analysis of human and gut microbiome small RNA expression is relevant to generation of the first hypotheses about the potential molecular interactions occurring in the gut of CRC patients, and it can be the basis for further mechanistic studies and clinical tests.

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Effects of Occupational Hazards on Pulmonary Health among Lathe Machine Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tangail, Bangladesh

International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Science ◽

10.23958/ijirms/vol06-i11/1251 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (11) ◽

pp. 761-765

Author(s):

Farmin Sultana ◽

Saiful Islam Rayhan ◽

Sheikh Md. Imam Hossain ◽

Taposh Sarkar ◽

Radoanul Ahmade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Diseases ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Immunoglobulin E ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dust Particles ◽

Control Group ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lathe Machine ◽

Metal Dust

Background: Occupational exposure to metal dust particles leads to irritation and initiation of inflammatory responses in the respiratory system that subsequently onsets lung diseases. Lathe machine workers have a greater risk of having lung diseases due to continuously conducting metal dust particles. This study aimed to explore the pulmonary health status of lathe machine workers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 80 individuals (lathe workers) were adopted from a different area of the Tangail district in Bangladesh. A questionnaire’s survey was accomplished along with oximetry and spirometry. After that, blood was drawn for measuring Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Immunoglobulin E (IgE) test to the lung function abnormalities. Results: Among 80 lathe machine workers, 12% had breathing problems, 13.8% had coughing, 16.2% had to sneeze and 8.7% had a chest. In addition, spirometry results including, FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, PEF, PEF%, FEF25, FEF75, and FEF2575 were significantly lower in lathe workers compared to control. Moreover, higher levels of IgE (264.93±141) and ESR (11.5±4.77) were reported in lathe machine workers than in the control group. Not using protective masks and smoking were considered as risk factors for having respiratory diseases in lathe machine workers. Conclusion: This study concludes that exposure to metal dust particles can cause respiratory disease symptoms and lower pulmonary function in lathe machine workers. Furthermore, metal dust might also augment the blood IgE and ESR level.

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Qing-Re-Xiao-Zheng Formula Modulates Gut Microbiota and Inhibits Inflammation in Mice With Diabetic Kidney Disease

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.719950 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Yabin Gao ◽

Ruibing Yang ◽

Lan Guo ◽

Yaoxian Wang ◽

Wei Jing Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Kidney Disease ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Diabetic Kidney Disease ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Mice Model ◽

Diabetic Kidney ◽

Metabolic Inflammation ◽

Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis

Evidence indicates that the metabolic inflammation induced by gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to diabetic kidney disease. Prebiotic supplementations to prevent gut microbiota dysbiosis, inhibit inflammatory responses, and protect the renal function in DKD. Qing-Re-Xiao-Zheng formula (QRXZF) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula that has been used for DKD treatment in China. Recently, there are growing studies show that regulation of gut microbiota is a potential therapeutic strategy for DKD as it is able to reduce metabolic inflammation associated with DKD. However, it is unknown whether QRXZF is effective for DKD by regulating of gut microbiota. In this study, we investigated the reno-protective effect of QRXZF by exploring its potential mechanism between gut microbiota and downstream inflammatory pathways mediated by gut-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the kidney. High-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin injection-induced DKD mice model was established to assess the QRXZF effect in vivo. Mice treated with QRXZF for 8 weeks had significantly lower levels of urinary albumin, serum cholesterol and triglycerides. The renal injuries observed through histological analysis were attenuated as well. Also, mice in the QRXZF group had higher levels of Zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) expression, lower levels of serum fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran and less-damaged colonic mucosa as compared to the DKD group, implying the benefit role for the gut barrier integrity. QRXZF treatment also reversed gut dysbiosis and reduced levels of gut-derived LPS. Notably, the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), which are important inflammation pathways in DKD, were suppressed in the QRXZF groups. In conclusion, our results indicated that the reno-protective effects of QRXZF was probably associated with modulating gut microbiota and inhibiting inflammatory responses in the kidney.

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P053 Overabundance of Lactobacillus species in gut microbiota of IBD patients

Journal of Crohn s and Colitis ◽

10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab076.182 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S160-S161

Author(s):

D Khusnutdinova ◽

M Markelova ◽

M Siniagina ◽

E Boulygina ◽

S Abdulkhakov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Active Phase ◽

Bioinformatic Analysis ◽

Lactobacillus Species ◽

Control Group ◽

Metagenomic Sequencing ◽

Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing ◽

Inflammatory Bowel ◽

Stool Samples

Abstract Background Changes in the composition of gut microbiota, and their metabolic pathways, are important factors in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Many clinical trials have shown that taking probiotics based on Lactobacillus has a positive effect on patients with IBD. However, Lactobacillus should be used more carefully during the active phase of IBD, since some strains can negatively affect the pathogenesis of the disease1,2. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of Lactobacillus species in the gut microbiome of IBD patients and healthy volunteers. Methods In the study, 62 stool samples from healthy people, 31 from patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), and 34 - ulcerative colitis (UC) in active phase were analyzed. DNA was isolated using the QIAamp Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit (Qiagen, USA) following with shotgun metagenomic sequencing the NextSeq 500 (project #0671-2020-0058). Bioinformatic analysis was performed with the MetaPhlAn2 package. Results An increased relative abundance of Lactobacillus was found in patients with IBD (3.2% ± 6.6% in CD and 1.6% ± 2.8 in UC) compared to healthy individuals (0.3% ± 1.2%, p<0.05). In the control group, Lactobacillus were absent in 41% of samples and 1–5 species were found in 58% of samples. Most CD and UC patients are characterized by the presence of 3 to 5 species of Lactobacillus (38% and 31%, respectively). For 23% of CD patients and 26% of UC patients, 6 to 9 types of Lactobacillus were found. Some patients with IBD have more than 10 different types of Lactobacillus in the gut microbiota (Fig.1). The intestinal microbiota in IBD patients is characterized by an increased abundance of several species: L. salivarius, L. gasseri, L. mucosae, as well as L. casei paracasei in patients with CD and L. vaginalis in patients with UC (Fig.2). Conclusion The composition of the intestinal microbiota of IBD patients differs significantly in terms of Lactobacillus proportion and species diversity. Overabundance of five Lactobacillus species could be associated with the active phase of IBD. References

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EVALUATION OF D-DIMER SERUM LEVELS AMONG PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC SPONTANEOUS URTICARIA AND ITS CORRELATION WITH DISEASE SEVERITY.

10.36106/gjra/4001428 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Aditi Jaiswal ◽

Kiran Godse

Keyword(s):

Disease Activity ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Analysis Data ◽

Control Group ◽

Tertiary Referral Centre ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

D Dimer

Aims: To evaluate D-Dimer serum levels in patients with chronic urticaria and its correlation with disease activity. Settings and Design: Single centre Cross sectional prospective observational age & sex matched case-control study at Dermatology OPD of a tertiary referral centre. Methods and Material: This study was conducted from January 2018 to June 2019. We in-cluded 33 patients with CU and 30 controls . They were recruited from urticaria clinic. All cases were subjected to history taking, general and dermatological examination. The serum levels of D-Dimer were measured by Semiquantitative, immunofiltration kits. Statistical analysis: Data was analysed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) ver-sion 21.0. Tests used were Independent t test/Mann-Whitney Test, Chi-Square test/Fisher’s Exact test, Spearman rank correlation coefficient, Kolmogorov- Smirnov test.. Results: Patients with active CU had elevated D-Dimer serum levels (p<0.0001) when com-pared with the control group (papulo-squamous disorder). Of 33 CSU patients, D-dimer level was elevated in 19 patients (57.58%). There was statistically significant positive correlation between disease severity (UAS7) and plasma D-dimer level (p <.0001, r =0.935). Conclusions: This study showed elevated D-dimer levels in more than half of Indian patients with CSU. There was a positive correlation between plasma D-dimer levels and the severity of disease activity. Investigation for plasma D-dimer level may be an alternative objective way to evaluate disease severity in patients with CSU. Limitations: Low sample size . Semi quantitative method was used instead of ELISA for D-Dimer.

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Changes in gut microbiota composition and their associations with cortisol, melatonin and interleukin 6 in patients with chronic insomnia

Bulletin of Russian State Medical University ◽

10.24075/brsmu.2021.017 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

AA Masyutina ◽

LN Gumenyuk ◽

YuV Fatovenko ◽

LE Sorokina ◽

SS Bayramova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Healthy Volunteers ◽

16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Taxonomic Composition ◽

Chronic Insomnia ◽

Control Group ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Cross Sectional

The relationship between the gut microbiota and chronic insomnia remains understudied. The aim of this paper was to investigate changes in the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiota and their associations with the levels of cortisol, melatonin and IL6 in patients with chronic insomnia. Our comparative prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 55 patients with chronic insomnia, who formed the main group (female patients: 58.2%, male patients: 41.8%; mean age 31.6 ± 7.4 years), and 50 healthy volunteers, who comprised the control group (females: 68.0%, males: 32.0%; mean age 33.2 ± 6.6 years). The taxonomic composition of the gut microbiota was profiled using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Plasma cortisol and IL 6 and urine melatonin were measured by means of ELISA. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In patients with chronic insomnia, the abundance of Faecalibacterium (p = 0.048), Prevotella 9 (p < 0.001) and Lachnospira (p = 0.036) was lower, whereas the abundance of Blautia (p = 0.012) and Eubacteriumhallii (p = 0.003) was higher than in healthy volunteers. Significant correlations were established between the levels of IL6 and the abundance of Faecalibacterium (r = –0.44; p = 0.001) and Blautia (r = 0.42; p < 0.001), as well as between cortisol concentrations and the abundance of Lachnospira (r = –0.41; p = 0.048). The abundance of Faecalibacterium and Blautiaс was correlated with higher PSQI (r = –0.47, p = 0.001; r = 0.45, p < 0.001, respectively). Our study contributed to the pool of data about changes in the gut microbiota and their associations with some endocrine and inflammation markers in patients with chronic insomnia. These data can be exploited to propose new strategies for the diagnosis and personalized treatment of insomnia aimed at normalizing the patient’s gut microbiota.

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Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Human Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine ◽

10.3389/fcvm.2021.650227 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Yang Guo ◽

Xiaosu Li ◽

Zhijian Wang ◽

Bo Yu

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Microbial Interactions ◽

Control Group ◽

Microbial Structure ◽

Phosphotransferase System ◽

Human Hypertension ◽

Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the major risk factors to human health and human studies on association between gut microbiota and hypertension or blood pressure have received increased attention. In the present study, we aim to evaluate gut microbiota dysbiosis in human hypertension using a method of systematic review.Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched until March 2021 to identify eligible articles. Additional articles were also identified by searching specific authors in this field. Inclusion criteria were observational studies based on stool samples with hypertension group and control group. Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of the included studies. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020212219.Results: A total of 17 studies enrolling 9,085 participants were included. Fifteen of the enrolled studies showed good quality and two studies showed fair quality based on NOS. We found alpha diversity in hypertension decreased significantly and microbial structure can be separated compared with control groups. Gut microbiota of hypertension showed depletion of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producers and over-growth of some Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes members. Up-regulation of lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, phosphotransferase system, ABC transporters, etc. and down-regulation of some amino acid metabolism, etc. in hypertension were reported. Fecal SCFAs levels increased and plasma SCFAs levels decreased in hypertension. Stronger microbial interactions in hypertension were seen.Conclusion: In conclusion, gut microbiota dysbiosis was observed in hypertension, including decreased diversity, altered microbial structure, compositional change of taxa, alterations of microbial function, nutritional and immunological factors, and microbial interactions. Poor absorption and high excretion of SCFAs may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. These findings may provide insights into etiology study and new microbial-based therapies of hypertension.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO database, identifier CRD42020212219.

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Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Risk Factor for Fractures: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies

Current Rheumatology Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573397115666190723160312 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 29-37

Author(s):

Ambika Gupta ◽

Stephanie G. Pipe ◽

Tanveer Towheed ◽

Tassos Anastassiades

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

General Population ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Functional Impairment ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Risk Of Fracture ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Study Heterogeneity

Aim: The primary objective was to assess the risk of fractures in adults with RA compared with controls from the general population. The review also assessed an increased risk of fractures in RA patients when accounting for steroid use, RA disease severity or functional impairment. Method: Citations were screened from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and CINAHL. Included citations were written in English, including adult patients at least 18 years of age and compared fracture incidence or prevalence between RA patients and a control group. Case-control, cohort and cross-sectional studies were included. Results: There were a total of 3451 citations; after application of the inclusion criteria, 17 studies were selected. In 14 of the 17 studies, there was an increase in the risk of fracture in RA patients compared to controls. In studies that evaluated for glucocorticoid use, four of 13 demonstrated an increased risk of fracture with glucocorticoid use, however, only two of these four studies specifically assessed glucocorticoid use amongst patients with RA. In studies that analyzed RA severity or functional impairment, two of seven demonstrated disease severity or impairment as a risk factor for fracture. There was marked study heterogeneity in terms of patient and fracture characteristics, which was a limitation of the analysis that impeded the ability to make direct comparisons. Conclusion: The risk of fracture in RA patients is elevated when compared to the general population, although the etiology of the increased risk remains to be elucidated.

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Decrease in abundance of bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium in gut microbiota may be related to pre-eclampsia progression in women from East China

Food & Nutrition Research ◽

10.29219/fnr.v65.5781 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tingting Miao ◽

Yun Yu ◽

Jin Sun ◽

Aiguo Ma ◽

Jinran Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Lipid Metabolism ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Oxidative Phosphorylation ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

East China ◽

Control Group ◽

Α Diversity ◽

Oxidative Phosphorylation Pathway

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) can result in severe damage to maternal and fetal health. It has been reported that gut microbiota (GM) had important roles in regulating the metabolic and inflammatory responses of the mother. However, investigations on GM in PE are rare. Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the changes of GM in PE and how to alter the GM composition in PE by dietary or dietary supplements. Design: We analyzed the composition changes in GM as well as the relationship between bacteria of different genera and clinical indices by amplifying the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene in 12 PE patients and eight healthy pregnant women in East China. Results: In the PE group, the Observed Species Index was lower than that in the control group, indicating that the α-diversity of the microbiome in the PE group decreased. At phylum, family, and genus levels, the relative abundance of different bacteria in PE patients displayed substantial differences to those from healthy women. We noted a decreased abundance of bacteria of the phylum Actinobacteria (P = 0.042), decreased abundance of bacteria of the family Bifidobacteriaceae (P = 0.039), increased abundance of bacteria of the genus Blautia (P = 0.026) and Ruminococcus (P = 0.048), and decreased abundance of bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium (P = 0.038). Among three enriched genera, bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium showed a negative correlation with the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and dyslipidemia, which involved glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the oxidative-phosphorylation pathway. The increased abundance of bacteria of the genera Blautia and Ruminococcus was positively correlated with obesity and dyslipidemia, which involved lipid metabolism, glycosyltransferases, biotin metabolism, and the oxidative-phosphorylation pathways. Moreover, women in the PE group ate more than women in the control group, so fetuses were more prone to overnutrition in the PE group. Conclusion: There is a potential for GM dysbiosis in PE patients, and they could be prone to suffer from metabolic syndrome. We speculate that alterations in the abundance of bacteria of certain genera (e.g. increased abundance of Blautia and Ruminococcus, and decreased abundance of Bifidobacterium) were associated with PE development to some degree. Our data could help to monitor the health of pregnant women and may be helpful for preventing and assisting treatment of PE by increasing dietary fiber or probiotics supplement.

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Investigating the Realization of Magnet Hospital Components in Educational Hospitals of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences-Yazd

Evidence Based Health Policy Management and Economics ◽

10.18502/jebhpme.v4i3.4165 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Roohollah Askari ◽

Masoomeh Pishehvaran ◽

Maryam Arabi

Keyword(s):

Reliability And Validity ◽

Optimal Level ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Management Style ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Medical Sciences ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Four Dimensions ◽

Magnet Hospital

Background: Today, there are hospitals called “Magnet Hospital” that are renowned for attracting and retaining expert nurses. These hospital have designed a set of work environment standards to support professional nursing practice. The present research aimed to investigate the feasibility of magnet (attractive) hospital components. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 2019. The sample included 200 nurses working in educational hospitals of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd; the samples were selected by stratified sampling. Data collection was done by using a standard questionnaire whose reliability and validity had been approved. The questionnaire included four dimensions (personnel strategies, management style, professional progression, and autonomy). Data analysis was done by SPSS22 and T-test statistics. Results: The average scores of personnel strategies, professional progression, management style, and autonomy in the studied hospitals were respectively obtained as 2.94 ± 0.78, 3.29 ± 0.85, 3.01 ± 0.81, and 3.36 ± 0.59. The mean score of feasibility was obtained as 3.1359 (± 0.61491) in control group; these scores were significantly higher than the cutoff point (3) (P-value ˂ 0.05). In general, the studied hospitals were at an optimal level in terms of magnet hospital components. Conclusion: Regarding the potential capacities of the studied hospitals and their movement towards acquiring the magnet hospital components, promotion of magnet properties such as strong leadership, employee empowerment, respect, cohesion, cooperation, recognition and recruitment of the nursing staff should be paid attention.

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